Epsilon negative loaded traveling wave tube

ABSTRACT

A slow wave structure of a traveling wave tube is provided. The slow wave structure includes an input port, an output port, a first material, and a second material. The second material is mounted in the first material at periodic intervals in a direction of propagation of a radio frequency signal between the input port and the output port. The second material has a real part of permittivity that is negative and a real part of permeability that is positive at an operational frequency of the radio frequency signal.

REFERENCE TO GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was made with government support under FA9550-11-1-0050 awarded by the USAF/AFOSR. The government has certain rights in the invention.

BACKGROUND

Traveling wave tubes (TWT) are used in various wireless devices including radar systems, satellite communications systems, wireless transponders of microwave backhaul links, etc. A TWT is a vacuum electronic device that acts as a microwave amplifier capable of providing a high gain and high output power. To accomplish this, TWTs use slow-wave structures that support the propagation of an electromagnetic (EM) wave and also accommodate the propagation of an energetic electron beam from within the device. The interaction between the electron beam and the EM wave results in amplification of the EM wave and a consequent boost in the amplitude of the EM wave thereby increasing the output power of the device. The gain of the device is a function of the interaction impedance and the total current of the electron beam, which is limited by the maximum dimensions of the slow-wave structure. As frequency increases, the dimensions of conventional slow-wave structures used in conventional TWTs decrease.

SUMMARY

In an illustrative embodiment, a slow wave structure of a traveling wave tube is provided. The slow wave structure includes, but is not limited to, an input port, an output port, a first material, and a second material. The second material is mounted in the first material at periodic intervals in a direction of propagation of a radio frequency signal between the input port and the output port. The second material has a real part of permittivity that is negative and a real part of permeability that is positive at an operational frequency of the radio frequency signal.

In an illustrative embodiment, a traveling wave tube is provided. The traveling wave tube includes, but is not limited to, a slow wave structure and an electron beam vacuum tube. The slow wave structure includes, but is not limited to, an input port, an output port, a first material, and a second material. The slow wave structure is configured to receive a radio frequency signal through the input port and to output an amplified radio frequency signal through the output port. The radio frequency signal has an operational frequency. The electron beam vacuum tube is configured to receive an electron beam and to focus the electron beam for transmission therethrough. The electron beam vacuum tube is mounted to extend through a center of the slow wave structure defined in a direction of propagation of the electron beam. The second material is mounted in the first material at periodic intervals in a direction of propagation of a radio frequency signal between the input port and the output port. The second material has a real part of permittivity that is negative and a real part of permeability that is positive at an operational frequency of the radio frequency signal.

Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a folded waveguide (FW) traveling wave tube (TWT) in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the FWTWT of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a unit cell of the FWTWT of FIG. 1 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the unit cell of the FWTWT of FIG. 3 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the FWTWT of FIG. 1 loaded with an epsilon negative material in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a unit cell of the loaded FWTWT of FIG. 5 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing a Brillouin dispersion relation comparison.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing a phase velocity comparison.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the FWTWT of FIG. 1 loaded with a material that behaves similar to the epsilon negative material of FIG. 5 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a unit cell of the loaded FWTWT of FIG. 9 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the FWTWT of FIG. 1 loaded with a second material that behaves similar to the epsilon negative material of FIG. 5 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a unit cell of the loaded FWTWT of FIG. 11 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the unit cell of the loaded FWTWT of FIG. 5 with a matching network in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a first traveling wave tube (TWT) 100 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. TWT 100 may include an electron beam vacuum tube 102 and a slow wave structure (SWS) 104. A radio frequency (RF) signal is input at an input end 106 of SWS 104 and is output at an output end 108 of SWS 104. The RF signal output at output end 108 is amplified relative to the RF signal input at input end 106. SWS 104 includes a plurality of unit cells 110 along a length of SWS 104 in a direction from input end 106 to output end 108. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, SWS 104 includes 19 identical unit cells that form a serpentine, rectangular folded waveguide. In alternative embodiments, SWS 104 may include a coupled cavity, a helical coil, a parallel plate folded waveguide, etc.

With reference to FIG. 2, a side view of TWT 100 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, electron beam vacuum tube 102 extends a length of SWS 104 from input end 106 to output end 108 and through a center of SWS 104 defined in a direction of propagation 112 of the electron beam. A coordinate reference frame 114 defines an x-direction, a y-direction, and a z-direction that are mutually orthogonal and form a right-handed system. Direction of propagation 112 of the electron beam is parallel to the z-direction of coordinate reference frame 114. The x-direction and y-direction define a cross section of electron beam vacuum tube 102 perpendicular to direction of propagation 112 of the electron beam. Center of SWS 104 is defined in the x-y plane of coordinate reference frame 114.

In an illustrative embodiment, a cross section of SWS 104 perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the RF signal is rectangular though other cross sections including square, circular, and elliptical may be used in alternative embodiments. For example, a square cross section may be used in a coupled cavity SWS 104. As another example, a circular cross section may be used in a helical coil SWS 104.

Referring to FIG. 3, a unit cell 300 of SWS 104 is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Unit cell 300 includes a first waveguide section 302, a second waveguide section 304, a third waveguide section 306, a fourth waveguide section 308, a fifth waveguide section 310, and a sixth waveguide section 312 that form a continuous serpentine “U” shape. Each waveguide section is open where it mounts to the adjacent wave guide section. As understood by a person of skill in the art, the RF signal propagates in the interior of SWS 104, which may be filled with air. The walls that form first waveguide section 302, second waveguide section 304, third waveguide section 306, fourth waveguide section 308, fifth waveguide section 310, and sixth waveguide section 312 may be formed of a material that is conductive at the operational frequency, f_(o), of TWT 100.

Electron beam vacuum tube 102 extends through a center of second waveguide section 304 and fifth waveguide section 310. Second waveguide section 304 and fifth waveguide section 310 are formed of rectangular cross sections defined by the walls of second waveguide section 304 and fifth waveguide section 310. Second waveguide section 304 is mounted between first waveguide section 302 and third waveguide section 306. Fifth waveguide section 310 is mounted between fourth waveguide section 308 and sixth waveguide section 312. The walls of first waveguide section 302, third waveguide section 306, fourth waveguide section 308, and sixth waveguide section 312 are curved to form an E-plane semi-circular bend in the same manner, but rotated in different directions to form the serpentine external shape.

A length 314 of unit cell 300 extends between edges of first waveguide section 302 and sixth waveguide section 312. The rectangular cross section of each waveguide section has a cross section height 316 and a cross section width 400 (shown with reference to FIG. 4). Unit cell 300 defines an electron beam path length 318 and an electromagnetic (EM) wave path length 320. Electron beam path length 318 defines a distance between subsequent beam crossings. Electron beam vacuum tube 102 has a diameter 322.

An electron gun (not shown) generates an electron beam 324 in electron beam vacuum tube 102. Electron beam 324 is focused to a beam diameter 326 using magnets around an interior surface of electron beam vacuum tube 102 as understood by a person of skill in the art. For illustration, electrons from a heated cathode are accelerated towards an anode, which is held at a high positive potential with respect to the cathode. A portion of the electrons pass through a hole in the anode to produce electron beam 324. Electron beam 324 travels down electron beam vacuum tube 102 in the z-direction to a collector that is maintained at a high voltage relative to the cathode.

SWS 104 supports propagation of a dominant TE₁₀ mode. In an illustrative embodiment, electron beam 324 passes through the tunnel of electron beam vacuum tube 102 having a radius r_(c) equal to half of diameter 322. In alternative embodiments, radius r_(c) may be larger or smaller. The axis of electron beam vacuum tube 102 is along the z-direction.

The input RF signal propagates into SWS 104 and interacts with electron beam 324 at beam crossings in second waveguide section 304 and fifth waveguide section 310 in which the TE₁₀ electric field and the DC current of electron beam 324 are collinear. When electron beam 324 passes through a first beam crossing in second waveguide section 304, the electrons face the force applied by a collinear electric field of SWS 104, which is alternating at the RF operational frequency, f_(o).

Due to the alternating force, some electrons are accelerated and other are decelerated. The superposition of the accelerated and decelerated electrons is translated to an RF current with the same frequency as the input RF signal. An RF current amplitude is modulated by the electric field of SWS 104 and provides an additional source of electric field that propagates through electron beam vacuum tube 102. When the electrons arrive at the next beam crossing in fifth waveguide section 310, they face a stronger force applied by a summation of the electric field of SWS 104 and the electric field formed by the RF current at the previous beam crossing. In this manner, both the RF current and the electric field grow as the electrons pass the subsequent beam crossings in the subsequent unit cells of SWS 104. As a result, the RF signal output at output end 108 of SWS 104 is amplified.

The electron gun at input end 106 of SWS 104 shoots the electrons with a constant velocity u₀ into the tunnel of electron beam vacuum tube 102. In an illustrative embodiment, a relatively large magneto-static field B₀ in the direction of the beam velocity is applied to focus electron beam 324 of radius r_(b) equal to half of beam diameter 326 to define an axially confined flow of electrons. In alternative embodiments, radius r_(b) may be larger or smaller. SWS 104 is a periodic structure that exhibits a dispersion diagram in which the lower bands of propagation support traveling waves with phase velocities much less than the speed of light.

With reference to FIG. 5, a perspective view of a second TWT 100 a is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Second TWT 100 a may include electron beam vacuum tube 102 and a second SWS 104 a. Second SWS 104 a includes a second plurality of unit cells 110 a along a length of second SWS 104 a in a direction from input end 106 to output end 108. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 5, second SWS 104 a includes 19 identical unit cells that form a serpentine, rectangular folded waveguide.

An epsilon negative material (ENG) is inserted in each of the second plurality of unit cells 110 a. An ENG material has a real part of permittivity that is negative and a real part of permeability that is positive at the operational frequency f_(o) of the RF signal input at input end 106. Electron beam vacuum tube 102 extends a length of second SWS 104 a from input end 106 to output end 108 and through a center of second SWS 104 a defined in direction of propagation 112 of electron beam 324.

In an illustrative embodiment, a cross section of second SWS 104 a perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the RF signal is rectangular. Second SWS 104 a supports propagation of a dominant TE₁₀ mode.

Referring to FIG. 6, a second unit cell 300 a of second SWS 104 a is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Second unit cell 300 a includes a seventh waveguide section 302 a, second waveguide section 304, an eighth waveguide section 306 a, a ninth waveguide section 308 a, fifth waveguide section 310, and a tenth waveguide section 312 a that form a continuous serpentine “U” shape. The dimensions of second waveguide section 304 and fifth waveguide section 310 in second unit cell 300 a may be different from those used in unit cell 300. Each waveguide section is open where it mounts to the adjacent wave guide section. As understood by a person of skill in the art, the RF signal propagates in the interior of second SWS 104, which may be filled with air. The walls that form seventh waveguide section 302 a, second waveguide section 304, eighth waveguide section 306 a, ninth waveguide section 308 a, fifth waveguide section 310, and tenth waveguide section 312 a may be formed of a material that is conductive at the operational frequency, f_(o), of second TWT 100 a.

Second waveguide section 304 is mounted between seventh waveguide section 302 a and eighth waveguide section 306 a. Fifth waveguide section 310 is mounted between ninth waveguide section 308 a and tenth waveguide section 312 a. the walls of seventh waveguide section 302 a, eighth waveguide section 306 a, ninth waveguide section 308 a, and tenth waveguide section 312 a are curved to form an E-plane semi-circular bend in the same manner, but rotated in different directions to form the serpentine external shape.

Seventh waveguide section 302 a includes a first wedge 600 formed of ENG material. Because seventh waveguide section 302 a is bent, first wedge 600 has a wedge shape. First wedge 600 is mounted across the rectangular cross section of seventh waveguide section 302 a. In the illustrative embodiment, first wedge 600 is mounted across the rectangular cross section of seventh waveguide section 302 a at a maximum distance from a center line 608 of second SWS 104 a that is also a center line of electron beam vacuum tube 102. First wedge 600 may be mounted across the rectangular cross section of seventh waveguide section 302 a at other locations.

Tenth waveguide section 312 a includes a second wedge 602 formed of ENG material. Because tenth waveguide section 312 a is bent, second wedge 602 forms a wedge shape. Second wedge 602 is mounted across the rectangular cross section of tenth waveguide section 312 a. In the illustrative embodiment, second wedge 602 is mounted across the rectangular cross section of tenth waveguide section 312 a at a maximum distance from center line 608 of second SWS 104 a. Second wedge 600 may be mounted across the rectangular cross section of tenth waveguide section 312 a at other locations.

Eighth waveguide section 306 a includes a third wedge 604 formed of ENG material similar to first wedge 600 and second wedge 602. Ninth waveguide section 308 a includes a fourth wedge 606 formed of ENG material similar to first wedge 600, second wedge 602, and third wedge 604. First wedge 600, second wedge 602, third wedge 604, and fourth wedge 606 have the same size and shape.

Each second unit cell 300 a of the second plurality of unit cells 110 a is identical and includes first wedge 600, second wedge 602, third wedge 604, and fourth wedge 606. First wedge 600, second wedge 602, third wedge 604, and fourth wedge 606 are mounted in second SWS 104 a at periodic intervals in a direction of propagation of the RF signal through second SWS 104 a or transverse to the serpentine path of the propagating RF signal. In the illustrative embodiment, air or vacuum is on either side of first wedge 600, second wedge 602, third wedge 604, and fourth wedge 606.

The electromagnetic effect of first wedge 600, second wedge 602, third wedge 604, and fourth wedge 606 can be characterized by assuming a straight waveguide loaded by an ENG slab of material having a thickness τ. The permittivity can be characterized by the lossless Drude model as

${\varepsilon_{r} = {1 - \left( \frac{f_{p}^{ENG}}{f} \right)^{2}}},$

where f_(p) ^(ENG) is the Drude plasma frequency. For the TE₁₀ mode propagating through the straight waveguide, the ENG slab is modeled by a short transmission line (TL) sandwiched between two transmission lines that represent the air-filled waveguide on either side of the ENG slab. Assuming a normalized characteristic impedance for the air-filled waveguide to be Z _(air)=1. The TE₁₀ normalized characteristic impedance for the ENG-filled waveguide is Z _(ENG)=β_(air)/β_(ENG), where

${\beta_{air} = {{\sqrt{\left( \frac{2\pi \; f}{c} \right)^{2} - \left( \frac{\pi}{a} \right)^{2}}\mspace{14mu} {and}\mspace{14mu} \beta_{ENG}} = \sqrt{{\varepsilon_{r}\left( \frac{2\pi \; f}{c} \right)}^{2} - \left( \frac{\pi}{a} \right)^{2}}}},$

where c is the speed of light and a is cross section width 400 and β_(air) and β_(ENG) are the TE₁₀ phase constants for the air-filled waveguide and the ENG-filled waveguide, respectively.

The electrically short TL corresponding to the ENG-filled waveguide can be modeled by a two port T-network that includes lumped series and shunt elements, with normalized impedances Z _(s) and Z _(p), respectively. By making the ABCD-matrices for the ENG-filled TL and T-network equal to each other, the normalized series and shunt impedances in the T-network are evaluated as Z _(p)=−j Z _(ENG)/sin (θ_(END)) and Z _(s)=(cos(θ_(ENG))−1) Z _(p), where θ_(ENG)=β_(ENG)τ. If θ_(ENG) is small, Z _(s)≈0 and

${\overset{\_}{Z}}_{p} = {j\; {\frac{\beta_{air}}{\left\lbrack {{- {\varepsilon_{r}\left( \frac{2\pi \; f}{c} \right)}^{2}} + \left( \frac{\pi}{a} \right)^{2}} \right\rbrack \tau}.}}$

Because ε_(r) is negative, the normalized shunt impedance is purely inductive. As a result, the relatively thin ENG-filled waveguide acts as a shunt inductance loading the equivalent TL of the air-filled waveguide. A shunt inductance increases the phase velocity of the propagating RF signal through the waveguide. Therefore, the bands of propagation are shifted up to higher frequencies.

As just explained, first wedge 600, second wedge 602, third wedge 604, and fourth wedge 606 formed of ENG material act as a shunt inductance periodically loading the equivalent Bloch transmission line model of SWS 104. A shunt inductance increases the phase velocity of the propagating RF signal through second SWS 104 a. By periodically loading second SWS 104 a, the bands of propagation are shifted up to higher frequencies, for example, from an operational frequency, f₀, to a higher frequency f_(l)>f₀. To operate second TWT 100 a at the operational frequency f₀, the size of second TWT 100 a is increased by a scale factor defined by f_(l)/f₀. The scale factor is selected to include the unloaded operational frequency, f₀, within the propagation band of second SWS 104 a. A unit-cell phase shift of between 180° and 360° for the EM signal propagating through second SWS 104 a is large enough to achieve a relatively slow zeroth-order spatial harmonic propagating inside electron beam vacuum tube 102. The scale factor is selected to avoid bringing second TWT 100 a into cut-off, which occurs when the unit-cell phase shift equals 180° or 360°. Based on this, a desired scale factor may provide a unit-cell phase shift around 270°. As an example, for TWT 100, the operational frequency may be 48 GHz. Second TWT 100 a, made from TWT 100, by adding first wedge 600, second wedge 602, third wedge 604, and fourth wedge 606 formed of ENG material, results in a propagation band that is shifted up to higher frequencies. For the unit-cell phase shift equal to 270°, the operational frequency for the ENG loaded second TWT 100 a is 64 GHz, which is higher than the unloaded operational frequency of 48 GHz. To bring down the operational frequency of the ENG loaded second TWT 100 a to the desired operational frequency of 48 GHz, the dimensions of the ENG loaded second TWT 100 a are enlarged by a scale factor equal to

$\frac{f_{l}}{f_{0}} = {\frac{64}{48} = {1.33.}}$

in an illustrative embodiment, the scale factor used was 1.35 to enlarge the ENG loaded second TWT 100 a. The corresponding unit-cell phase shift for the scale factor equal to 1.35 was 267.1° which is approximately equal to 270°.

A length 624 of second unit cell 300 a extends between edges of seventh waveguide section 302 a and tenth waveguide section 312 a. The rectangular cross section of each waveguide section has a cross section height 626 and a cross section width (not shown). Second unit cell 300 a defines an electron beam path length 628 and an EM wave path length 630. Electron beam vacuum tube 102 has a second beam diameter 610 and a diameter 632. Length 624, cross section height 626, and the cross section width of second unit cell 300 a are increased by the scale factor thereby increasing electron beam path length 628 and EM wave path length 630. Second beam diameter 610 of second SWS 104 a is larger than beam diameter 326 of SWS 104 by the scale factor supporting a larger current at the same operational frequency of SWS 104. Second TWT 100 a further has a higher interaction impedance compared to TWT 100, which increases the gain.

In an illustrative embodiment, an average arc-length L_(wedge) of each wedge may be selected as EM wave path length 630 divided by 20. The apex of the angle of the combined third wedge 604 and fourth wedge 606 at the intersection of eighth waveguide section 306 a and ninth waveguide section 308 a is θ_(wedge)=2L_(wedge)/p, where p is electron beam path length 628. If θ_(wedge) is larger than a threshold, such as 90°, the wedge may reduce a longitudinal component of the electric field in electron beam vacuum tube 102, which decreases the interaction impedance and degrades the gain performance of second TWT 100 a. To avoid this, θ_(wedge) is generally small. For illustration, θ_(wedge)=12.7° was used in an illustrative embodiment.

To perform a cold test of second TWT100 a, an A-element in the ABCD-matrix associated with second unit cell 300 a is determined. To calculate the ABCD-matrix of second unit cell 300 a, a first rectangular waveguide 612 is mounted between an input port 614 and first wedge 600 and has a first longitudinal length 616, and a second rectangular waveguide 618 is mounted between an output port 620 and second wedge 602 and has a second longitudinal length 622. First rectangular waveguide 612 and second rectangular waveguide 618 have the same transverse cross section as second SWS 104 a at input end 106 and at output end 108 of second unit cell 300 a. First rectangular waveguide 612, second unit cell 300 a, and second rectangular waveguide 618 form three-stages.

The reason for adding the input waveguide 612 and output waveguide 618 is to make the reference impedance the same as the TE₁₀ characteristic impedance of the air-filled straight waveguide. The s-parameters of the three-stage cascaded network depicted in FIG. 6 are calculated. For example, a frequency domain solver with a tetrahedral mesh type in CST Microwave Studio® marketed by CST Computer Simulation Technology AG may be used to analyze the s-parameters of the cascaded network over a frequency range. Using the calculated s-parameters, the corresponding ABCD-matrix, [T]_(cas) is calculated as described in D. M. Pozar, Microwave Engineering, Hoboken, N.J., John Wiley and Sons, 2012. The ABCD-matrix of second unit cell 300 a, [T] _(unit), is calculated as [T]_(unit)=[T]_(ω) ⁻¹[T]_(cas)[T]_(ω) ⁻¹, where [T]_(ω) is calculated analytically as described in D. M. Pozar, Microwave Engineering, Hoboken, N.J., John Wiley and Sons, 2012 using the TE₁₀ characteristic impedance and the phase constant of the rectangular waveguide. The Brillouin phase shift between input end 106 and output end 108 of second unit cell 300 a is calculated as =cos⁻¹ A_(unit) where A_(unit) is the A-element of the unit-cell ABCD-matrix calculated as described in R. E. Collin, Foundations for Microwave Engineering, 2nd ed., Hoboken, N.J., John Wiley and Sons, 2001.

For illustration, a dispersion diagram for an RF wave is shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 7 shows a first dispersion curve 700, a second dispersion curve 702, and a third dispersion curve 704. First dispersion curve 700 was calculated using TWT 100. Second dispersion curve 702 was calculated using second TWT 100 a with the same dimensions as TWT 100. Third dispersion curve 704 was calculated using second TWT 100 a increased in size relative to TWT 100 by the scale factor. The dispersion diagram shows that the propagation band in second TWT 100 a is shifted up to the higher frequencies compared to that for TWT 100. To bring down the band of propagation, ‘reverse-miniaturization’ is performed which means scaling up the dimensions of second TWT 100 a by the scale factor.

A unit cell phase shift, ψ, should be large enough at f₀ to achieve a relatively slow phase velocity for a zeroth order spatial harmonic inside the enlarged tunnel of electron beam vacuum tube 102. A preferable operational region in the propagation band of enlarged second TWT 100 a is a second eigen mode for which 180°<ψ<360°. However, f₀ should be far away from the upper cut-off frequency for which ψ=360°. Therefore, ψ≈270° is a relatively good choice. For third dispersion curve 704, ψ=267.1° was used.

A slow wave velocity diagram for an RF wave is shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 shows a first velocity curve 800, a second velocity curve 802, and a third velocity curve 804. First velocity curve 800 was calculated using TWT 100. Second velocity curve 802 was calculated using second TWT 100 a with the same dimensions as TWT 100. Third velocity curve 804 was calculated using second TWT 100 a increased in size relative to TWT 100 by the scale factor. At f₀, the slow wave phase velocity for the enlarged second TWT100 a was slightly faster than for TWT 100. The bandwidth is narrower for the enlarged second TWT100 a.

With reference to FIG. 9, a perspective view of a third TWT 100 b is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Third TWT 100 b may include electron beam vacuum tube 102 and a third SWS 104 b. Third SWS 104 b includes a third plurality of unit cells 110 b along a length of third SWS 104 b in a direction from input end 106 to output end 108. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 9, third SWS 104 b includes 19 identical unit cells that form a serpentine, rectangular folded waveguide. A plurality of wires are inserted in each of the third plurality of unit cells 110 b. Electron beam vacuum tube 102 extends a length of third SWS 104 b from input end 106 to output end 108 and through a center of third SWS 104 b defined in direction of propagation 112 of electron beam 324.

In an illustrative embodiment, a cross section of third SWS 104 b perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the RF signal is rectangular. Third SWS 104 b supports propagation of a dominant TE₁₀ mode.

Referring to FIG. 10, a third unit cell 300 b of third TWT 100 b is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Third unit cell 300 b includes an eleventh waveguide section 302 b, second waveguide section 304, a twelfth waveguide section 306 b, a thirteenth waveguide section 308 b, fifth waveguide section 310, and a fourteenth waveguide section 312 b that form a continuous serpentine “U” shape. The dimensions of second waveguide section 304 and fifth waveguide section 310 in third unit cell 300 b may be different from those used in unit cell 300. Each waveguide section is open where it mounts to the adjacent wave guide section. Second waveguide section 304 is mounted between eleventh waveguide section 302 b and twelfth waveguide section 306 b. Fifth waveguide section 310 is mounted between thirteenth waveguide section 308 b and fourteenth waveguide section 312 b. The walls of eleventh waveguide section 302 b, twelfth waveguide section 306 b, thirteenth waveguide section 308 b, and fourteenth waveguide section 312 b are curved to form an E-plane semi-circular bend in the same manner, but rotated in different directions to form the serpentine external shape.

Eleventh waveguide section 302 b includes a first plurality of wires 1000. The first plurality of wires 1000 may be formed of a metal material and mounted to extend lengthwise across a portion of the cross section of eleventh waveguide section 302 b. In the illustrative embodiment, the first plurality of wires 1000 includes three wires that extend lengthwise between the longer sides of the rectangular cross section of eleventh waveguide section 302 b. In the illustrative embodiment, the first plurality of wires 1000 are mounted across the rectangular cross section of eleventh waveguide section 302 b at a maximum distance from a center line 1008 of third SWS 104 b that is also a center line of electron beam vacuum tube 102. The first plurality of wires 1000 may be mounted across the rectangular cross section of eleventh waveguide section 302 b at other locations in different arrangements along third SWS 104 b. For example, multiple arrays of the first plurality of wires may be included at different locations in eleventh waveguide section 302 b in alternative embodiments.

Fourteenth waveguide section 312 b includes a second plurality of wires 1002 similar to first plurality of wires 1000. Twelfth waveguide section 306 b includes a third plurality of wires 1004 similar to the first plurality of wires 1000 and the second plurality of wires 1002. Thirteenth waveguide section 308 b includes a fourth plurality of wires 1006 similar to the first plurality of wires 1000, the second plurality of wires 1002, and the third plurality of wires 1004. The first plurality of wires 1000, the second plurality of wires 1002, the third plurality of wires 1004, and the fourth plurality of wires 1006 have the same size and shape.

Each third unit cell 300 b of the third plurality of unit cells 110 b is identical and includes the first plurality of wires 1000, the second plurality of wires 1002, the third plurality of wires 1004, and the fourth plurality of wires 1006. The first plurality of wires 1000, the second plurality of wires 1002, the third plurality of wires 1004, and the fourth plurality of wires 1006 are mounted in third SWS 104 b at periodic intervals in a direction of propagation of the RF signal through third SWS 104 b or transverse to the serpentine path of the propagating RF signal. In the illustrative embodiment, vacuum surrounds each wire of the first plurality of wires 1000, the second plurality of wires 1002, the third plurality of wires 1004, and the fourth plurality of wires 1006 except for the walls of third SWS 104 b. In an illustrative embodiment, a cross section of each wire is square though other shapes may be used. Each wire in each plurality of wires is separated from the adjacent wire by a spacing g and has a diameter d.

To determine g and d for the plurality of wires 1000, 1002, 1004, 1006 that provide a similar performance to the ENG filled wedges 600, 602, 604, 606, a cascaded network equivalent to that shown in FIG. 6 is determined. The g and d are selected so that a scattering matrix of third SWS 104 b is as close as possible to a scattering matrix of second SWS 104 a at the operational frequency, f₀. The g and d may be selected by analyzing the wire grid cascaded network and iterating through various values of g and d to optimize the scattering matrix of third SWS 104 b so that it is as close as possible to second SWS 104 a at the operational frequency, f₀. Because the cascaded networks are lossless, optimizing on a magnitude and a phase of s₁₁ is sufficient.

With reference to FIG. 11, a perspective view of a fourth TWT 100 c is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Fourth TWT 100 c may include electron beam vacuum tube 102 and a fourth SWS 104 c. Fourth SWS 104 c includes a fourth plurality of unit cells 110 c along a length of fourth SWS 104 c in a direction from input end 106 to output end 108. In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 11, fourth SWS 104 c includes 19 identical unit cells that form a serpentine, rectangular folded waveguide. Electron beam vacuum tube 102 extends a length of fourth SWS 104 c from input end 106 to output end 108 and through a center of fourth SWS 104 c defined in direction of propagation 112 of electron beam 324.

In an illustrative embodiment, a cross section of fourth SWS 104 c perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the RF signal is rectangular. Fourth SWS 104 c supports propagation of a dominant TE₁₀ mode.

Referring to FIG. 12, a fourth unit cell 300 c of fourth TWT 100 c is shown in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Fourth unit cell 300 c includes a fifteenth waveguide section 302 c, second waveguide section 304, a sixteenth waveguide section 306 c, a seventeenth waveguide section 308 c, fifth waveguide section 310, and an eighteenth waveguide section 312 c that form a continuous serpentine “U” shape. The dimensions of second waveguide section 304 and fifth waveguide section 310 in fourth unit cell 300 c may be different from those used in unit cell 300. Each waveguide section is open where it joins the adjacent wave guide section. Second waveguide section 304 is mounted between fifteenth waveguide section 302 c and sixteenth waveguide section 306 c. Fifth waveguide section 310 is mounted between seventeenth waveguide section 308 c and eighteenth waveguide section 312 c. The walls of fifteenth waveguide section 302 c, sixteenth waveguide section 306 c, seventeenth waveguide section 308 c, and eighteenth waveguide section 312 c are curved to form an E-plane semi-circular bend in the same manner, but rotated in different directions to form the serpentine external shape.

Fifteenth waveguide section 302 c includes a first plate 1200, a second plate 1202, and a third plate 1204. First plate 1200 and third plate 1204 may be formed of a metal material and mounted to extend lengthwise across a portion of the cross section of fifteenth waveguide section 302 c. Second plate 1202 may be formed of another material including vacuum such that second plate 1202 is formed by the adjacent walls of first plate 1200 and third plate 1204 and of fifteenth waveguide section 302 c. A greater or a fewer number of plates may be mounted to extend lengthwise across a portion of the cross section of fifteenth waveguide section 302 c. In the illustrative embodiment, first plate 1200 and third plate 1204 extend lengthwise between the longer sides of the rectangular cross section of fifteenth waveguide section 302 c and only partially lengthwise between shorter sides of the rectangular cross section of fifteenth waveguide section 302 c to leave an air gap that forms second plate 1202. In the illustrative embodiment, first plate 1200, second plate 1202, and third plate 1204 are mounted across the rectangular cross section of fifteenth waveguide section 302 c at a maximum distance from a center line 1222 of fourth SWS 104 c that is also a center line of electron beam vacuum tube 102. First plate 1200, second plate 1202, and third plate 1204 may be mounted across the rectangular cross section of fifteenth waveguide section 302 c at other locations.

Eighteenth waveguide section 312 c includes a fourth plate 1206, a fifth plate 1208, and a sixth plate 1210 similar to first plate 1200, second plate 1202, and third plate 1204, respectively. Sixteenth waveguide section 306 c includes a seventh plate (not shown), an eighth plate (not shown), and a ninth plate 1212 similar to first plate 1200, second plate 1202, and third plate 1204, respectively. Seventeenth waveguide section 308 c includes a tenth plate (not shown), an eleventh plate (not shown), and a twelfth plate 1214 similar to first plate 1200, second plate 1202, and third plate 1204, respectively.

Each fourth unit cell 300 c of the fourth plurality of unit cells 110 c is identical. The plates are mounted in fourth SWS 104 c at periodic intervals in a direction of propagation of the RF signal through fourth SWS 104 c or transverse to the serpentine path of the propagating RF signal. First plate 1200 has a first width 1216, second plate 1202 has a second width 1218, and third plate 1204 has a third width 1220. A sum of first width 1216, second width 1218, and third width 1220 is equal to the cross section width of each waveguide section 302 c, 304, 306 c, 308 c, 310, 312 c.

In an illustrative embodiment, the middle plates, such as second plate 1202 and fifth plate 1208, form a cut-off waveguide. First width 1216 and third width 1220 each have a width equal to approximately 35% of the cross section width of the associated waveguide section. Second width 1218 is approximately 30% of the cross section width of the associated waveguide section.

With reference to FIG. 13, a perspective view of second unit cell 300 a is shown with a matching network designed to match the input/output waveguide to avoid reflection of the incident power in accordance with an illustrative embodiment. Third unit cell 300 b and fourth unit cell 300 c may be similarly matched. To design the matching network, the Bloch impedance of second TWT 100 a is matched to the characteristic impedance (TE₁₀ mode) of the input/output waveguide. The matching network illustrated in FIG. 13 includes an input waveguide 1300 and an input stub tuner 1302. Input waveguide 1300 is mounted to first wedge 600 of seventh waveguide section 302 a to provide the RF input signal. Input stub tuner 1302 mounts to and extends perpendicular from input waveguide 1300 at a distance 1304 from first wedge 600 of seventh waveguide section 302 a. Input stub tuner 1302 may be mounted to extend either up or down from input waveguide 1300. Input stub tuner 1302 has a height 1306 and input waveguide 1300 has a length 1308.

Because of the symmetry, the output matching network is a mirrored version of the input one. As a result, the matching network illustrated in FIG. 13 includes an output waveguide 1310 and an output stub tuner 1312. Output waveguide 1310 is mounted to second wedge 602 of tenth waveguide section 312 a to provide the RF output signal. Output stub tuner 1312 mounts to and extends perpendicular from output waveguide 1310 at distance 1304 from second wedge 602 of tenth waveguide section 312 a. Output stub tuner 1312 may be mounted to extend either up or down from output waveguide 1310. Output stub tuner 1312 has height 1306 and output waveguide 1310 has length 1308.

For TWT 100, a matching network may not be needed because the TE₁₀ characteristic impedances of the folded and straight waveguides is very close. However, for second TWT 100 a, there may be a large difference between the Bloch impedance and the TE₁₀ characteristic impedance of the waveguide.

To calculate the Bloch impedance, the B- and C-elements of the ABCD-matrix associated with the enlarged second TWT 100 a is determined as

$Z_{B} = {\sqrt{\frac{B_{unit}}{C_{unit}}}.}$

Distance 1304 and height 1306 can be computed using either a Smith chart or the analytical formulas described in D. M. Pozar, Microwave Engineering, Hoboken, N.J., John Wiley and Sons, 2012.

As used in this disclosure, the term “mount” includes join, unite, connect, couple, associate, insert, hang, hold, affix, attach, fasten, bind, paste, secure, bolt, screw, rivet, pin, nail, clasp, clamp, cement, fuse, solder, weld, glue, form over, slide together, layer, and other like terms. The phrases “mounted on” and “mounted to” include any interior or exterior portion of the element referenced. These phrases also encompass direct connection (in which the referenced elements are in direct contact) and indirect connection (in which the referenced elements are not in direct contact, but are mounted together via intermediate elements). Elements referenced as mounted to each other herein may further be integrally formed together. As a result, elements described herein as being mounted to each other need not be discrete structural elements. The elements may be mounted permanently, removably, or releasably.

The word “illustrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Further, for the purposes of this disclosure and unless otherwise specified, “a” or “an” means “one or more”. Still further, the use of “and” or “or” is intended to include “and/or” unless specifically indicated otherwise.

The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and as practical applications of the invention to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A slow wave structure of a traveling wave tube comprising: an input port; an output port; a first material; and a second material, wherein the second material is mounted in the first material at periodic intervals in a direction of propagation of a radio frequency signal between the input port and the output port, and the second material has a real part of permittivity that is negative and a real part of permeability that is positive at an operational frequency of the radio frequency signal.
 2. The slow wave structure of claim 1, wherein the slow wave structure is a helical coil formed by the first material and the second material, and the second material is mounted across at least a portion of the cross section of the helical coil.
 3. The slow wave structure of claim 1, wherein the first material is vacuum.
 4. The slow wave structure of claim 3, wherein the slow wave structure is a coupled cavity waveguide having a cross section perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the radio frequency signal.
 5. The slow wave structure of claim 4, wherein the second material is mounted across at least a portion of the cross section of the coupled cavity waveguide.
 6. The slow wave structure of claim 3, wherein the slow wave structure is a folded waveguide having a cross section perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the radio frequency signal.
 7. The slow wave structure of claim 6, wherein the second material is mounted across at least a portion of the cross section of the folded waveguide.
 8. A traveling wave tube comprising: a slow wave structure comprises an input port; an output port; a first material; and a second material, wherein the slow wave structure is configured to receive a radio frequency signal through the input port and to output an amplified radio frequency signal through the output port, wherein the radio frequency signal has an operational frequency; and an electron beam vacuum tube configured to receive an electron beam and to focus the electron beam for transmission therethrough, wherein the electron beam vacuum tube is mounted to extend through a center of the slow wave structure defined in a direction of propagation of the electron beam, wherein the second material is mounted in the first material at periodic intervals in a direction of propagation of the radio frequency signal between the input port and the output port, and the second material has a real part of permittivity that is negative and a real part of permeability that is positive at the operational frequency.
 9. The traveling wave tube of claim 8, wherein the slow wave structure is a helical coil formed by the first material and the second material, and the second material is mounted across at least a portion of the cross section of the helical coil.
 10. The traveling wave tube of claim 8, wherein the first material is vacuum.
 11. The traveling wave tube of claim 10, wherein the slow wave structure is a folded waveguide having a cross section perpendicular to the direction of propagation of the radio frequency signal.
 12. The traveling wave tube of claim 11, wherein the second material is mounted across at least a portion of the cross section of the folded waveguide.
 13. The traveling wave tube of claim 12, wherein the folded waveguide is a serpentine folded waveguide.
 14. The traveling wave tube of claim 13, wherein the second material is mounted at a maximum distance from the center of the slow wave structure.
 15. The traveling wave tube of claim 13, wherein the second material forms a wedge.
 16. The traveling wave tube of claim 12, wherein the second material is a metal plate that extends across the portion of the cross section of the folded waveguide.
 17. The traveling wave tube of claim 16, wherein the cross section is rectangular and the metal plate extends lengthwise between longer sides of the rectangular cross section and only partially lengthwise between shorter sides of the rectangular cross section.
 18. The traveling wave tube of claim 12, wherein the second material is a plurality of metal wires that extend lengthwise across the portion of the cross section of the folded waveguide.
 19. The traveling wave tube of claim 18, wherein the cross section is rectangular and the plurality of metal wires extend lengthwise between longer sides of the rectangular cross section.
 20. The traveling wave tube of claim 8, wherein the second material provides a shunt inductive load to the slow wave structure. 